SDDA Reorganizes Division of Agricultural Development to Better Support State’s Agriculture Industry

With the reorganization of South Dakota's Division of Agricultural Development, farmers will easily get the help they need to achieve success
With the reorganization of South Dakota's Division of Agricultural Development, farmers will easily get the help they need to achieve success

According to a release from the South Dakota State News, the South Dakota Department of Agriculture is aiming to better support and promote the state’s agriculture industry by reorganizing its Division of Agricultural Development.

As part of the effort to better the agriculture industry, the state has decided to divide the Division of Agricultural Development into four regions from timber production in the west, to corn and soybeans in the east, each being overseen by an individual representative.

In the past, the department has been focused on having specialists for various agricultural fields such as dairy or livestock, according to Lucas Lentsch, South Dakota’s Secretary of Agriculture. As a result, farmers and producers had to deal with a number of state employees before getting the help they needed.

Paul Kostboth, director of South Dakota’s Agricultural Development, says in the State News release, “This regional focus will give the Division of Agricultural Development a better way to be a consistent local resource. Agriculture is the only industry that is consistently investing in rural South Dakota. We want to work closely with local leaders, supporting their efforts to pursue those investment opportunities that are so vital to the ongoing success of their communities.”

With the South Dakota Department of Agriculture’s changes in place, farmers and producers across the state of South Dakota will be provided with an opportunity to more easily get the help needed to improve their efforts, leading to a stronger agriculture industry.